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Take a look at the first generation of Steam Machines
Our own Jess Conditt is on-hand at CES to check out Valve's Steam Machines – custom Linux-driven computers aimed at bringing Steam into the living room. While Gabe Newell's keynote this evening failed to provide any substantial news, we were at least able to check out some of the preliminary hardware afterward. Our pals from Engadget were also there, expensive cameras in tow – so you know they took a lot of photos. Feel free to embark on a visual tour of the first batch of Steam Machines through the gallery below.
Alienware announces Valve partnership, Steam Machines
Alienware will beam a Steam Machine down to Earth in late 2014, the Dell subsidiary announced today. No spec details or price was given, but the Alienware Steam Machine will, according to a statement by Gabe Newell given in a press release, encapsulate "the full potential of what a Steam Machine should be." If by "full potential" Newell means that it looks pretty, well, we can't argue there. Sleek! "We have been working with Alienware since we began defining our vision of the Steam Machine," Newell said. "Alienware's historic commitment to gaming, their design and engineering capabilities and their global reach made them an ideal partner for us on our Steam Machine project." Alienware will also be offering a Steam Machine version of their X51 desktop PC in late 2014.
Digital Storm's $2,000 Steam Machine is a PC for the high-end market
The Bolt 2, revealed today as a hybrid PC and Steam Machine, is not for the everyday market, Digital Storm Chief Brand Officer Harjit Chana told Joystiq at CES. The Bolt 2 will cost $1,900 when it launches later this month, and the system ranges in price from $1,500 to $2,800. "Our brand itself is more about high-end systems," Chana said. "We're not really a more mainstream type of brand; we're focused on higher-tier. So that's where the Bolt 2 came in. We wanted to create a product that appeals to this type of market as a Steam Machine. Because obviously, when someone thinks of a Steam Machine, they think of something compact, hybrid – something they can place in their home theater environment as well." The Bolt 2 is designed ideally for 4K gaming, with an eye on the future, Chana said. "A $500 Steam Box isn't going to run a 4K TV," he said.
The $500 Steam Machine from iBuyPower is 'not a PC'
IBuyPower built its Steam Machine, the SBX, to compete in the console market. It looks like a console – a rectangle smaller than the Xbox One with the Steam logo pressed into the top – and it's priced to compete with new systems at $500. A few details make it a Steam Machine rather than another new console: It has no disc drive, it runs SteamOS only, and it will ship with the Steam Controller and in-home streaming capabilities. "We're telling all of our vendors that this is not a PC," Tuan Nguyen, iBuyPower director of product and marketing, said during a demo at CES. "Valve doesn't like to admit that they're really competing with the consoles, but they are." The retail SBX should include built-in wi-fi, Bluetooth, an internal power supply, a 500GB HDD, 4GB RAM, quad-core Athlon X4 740 CPU, and a Radeon R7 260X graphics card supporting AMD's Mantle API, iBuyPower's Brad Soken said. Those specs aren't expected to change too drastically leading up to launch. "With Mantle and everything, and the whole GCN up and running, you're very much on par at least with the current generation of consoles, if not even better," Nguyen said.
Origin PC launching two 'Chronos' Steam Machines this year
Origin PC, not to be confused with EA's Origin service, announced two of its own Steam Machines today. Dubbed the "Chronos" line, the Steam boxes will run Valve's SteamOS operating system, first announced in September 2013. Origin will launch both the normal and SLI-Edition versions of Chronos this year for an undetermined price. Both versions are customizable, though the noteworthy differences between the two is the 32 GB of memory, up to 14 TB of combined solid-state and hard drive space, as well as a 40-in-1 card reader in the SLI-Edition compared to the normal version's 16 GB of memory, and up to 6 TB of storage space. Both Chronos systems will include the ability to dual-boot a version of Windows 7 or Windows 8 in addition to SteamOS.
Sony's new UHD TVs are built to support Netflix in 4K when it arrives
3D? Pah. 2014 is the year that 4K makes its first grand assault upon the mainstream. Naturally, Sony is one of the names leading the charge, and is bolstering the 4K support it added to the Video Unlimited service back in September. The company's new range of UHD TVs will now pull down 4K video from a variety of sources, but most importantly, will work with Netflix's forthcoming native 4K streaming. This year's flagship is the XBR-X950B, available to buy in 95- or 85-inch models, while the middle tier is now occupied by the XBR-900B, offering 79-, 65- or 55-inch units. For those of us who aren't on the roster of a Major League Baseball team, however, the company is also releasing an "entry level" XBR-X850B line, which can be snagged in 70-, 65-, 55- and 49-inch versions. Each one has the usual cluster of Sony technologies, including X-Reality Pro, Triluminos and ClearAudio+, as well as screen mirroring, NFC and built-in WiFi. All of them will arrive in spring, but there's no word, yet, on how much these will set you back, but we'd wager that the hardware isn't yet into the "impulse purchase" category just yet.
MakerBot announces Replicator Mini 3D printer: one-touch printing for $1,375
When MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis hit the CES stage today, he was joined by three tall, somewhat ominous black boxes (along with, strangely, acoustic versions of Goo Goo Dolls and Stone Temple Pilots hits). After reminiscing about just how far the company has come in its past five CES appearances, the big unveiling commenced. The first box in the middle was the Replicator Mini. The printer, Pettis noted, is roughly the same size as the company's original Cupcake printer -- albeit a lot more powerful. It's also much more user-friendly, with a single-button experience. "If I was announcing cameras today," he added, "this would be the point-and-shoot." Pettis added that the printer has been "years in the making," getting the device "just how we wanted it." The Mini works with PLA and has built-in WiFi, so you can connect it directly to your devices for printing. There's also, interestingly, an on-board camera, which offers up print monitoring with photos you can share with your social networks via the aforementioned WiFi. Inside, you'll find a "Smart Extruder," which snaps on and off magnetically, for easier filament loading. And when it runs out of plastic, the printing just pauses. The printer will run $1,375 when it starts shipping in spring of this year.
Steam Machine from Digital Storm launches in January for $1,900
Digital Storm's Bolt 2 is a small form factor PC and Steam Machine hybrid due out this month, starting at $1,900, the company announced at CES. The Bolt 2 launches with both SteamOS and Windows. "We (Digital Storm) are not looking to compete with console pricing," Digital Storm's Director of Product Development, Rajeev Kuruppu, says. "We're taking aim at the high end of the market, targeting consumers that demand the best possible gaming experience and who are looking for a PC capable of playing any title on their new 4K display." We learned of 12 Steam Machine manufacturers today, including Digital Storm, but have yet to hear price points or release dates (or much of anything) for the other consoles. Valve shipped beta Steam Machines to 300 participants in December. Expect more information about the Steam Machines at Valve's CES press conference tonight.
Sharp's new Blu-ray wireless player is WiSA-certified, ships this spring for $4,000
Sharp isn't only introducing an array of televisions at this year's CES. Today, the company also took the time to reveal a new Universal Player, its first to support the WiSA open standard. The SD-WH1000U, as it will be known by model name, can play CDs, SACDs, DVDs and Blu-rays wirelessly, with the accessibility side of things being complemented by two HDMI and three USB 3.0 ports -- yes, it can connect to the internet as well. Most important, however, is the fact that the Sharp Universal Player meets WiSA requirements, allowing you to seamlessly push out high-quality video and audio content (1080p resolution, 24-bit/96kHz uncompressed sound at 5.2-5.8 GHz range) without the need for any cords. Just don't expect this potential addition to your WiSA-friendly setup to be a cheap one, as it's set to be priced at a cool $4,000 once it begins shipping later this year.
Sharp Aquos lineup for 2014 bears 1080p and 4K TVs, a revamped SmartCentral platform and the new Quattron+ Series
We knew an army of TVs would be making an appearance at CES 2014. Accordingly, Sharp has just announced what we can expect out of the Aquos portfolio this year, with new hardware being introduced as part of its HD, Quattron and 4K Series -- there's also the debut of Quattron+, but we'll talk more about that a little later. As expected, Sharp is placing emphasis on big LED screens: Each model begins at 60 inches, ranging all the way up to 90 inches in the case of the HD Series. Speaking of which, the entry-level Aquos HD will be priced starting at $1,300, offering 1080p at 120Hz, 2D/3D options and Smart TV features. Meanwhile, the Quattron Series, which starts at $1,700, also does 1080p, but at 240Hz, plus it's equipped with Quattron technology and Sharp's completely overhauled SmartCentral platform, much like the HD and rest of the lineup. Those looking to spend a little more will be able to choose from the newly minted Quattron+ or 4K Series, both of which are running the company's revamped Smart TV software, SmartCentral 3. TVs with Quattron+ (seen above) are sort of a step between 1080p and Ultra HD; Sharp describes them as the "highest-resolution full HD" sets available, noting that the technology "divides each pixel, creating two pixels from one, to deliver 16 million subpixels." Prices on these are expected to be from $2,300 to $6,000 -- this gets you things like Active 3D, THX-approved picture quality, Bluetooth and, on the higher-end models, an AquoMotion 960, 240Hz screen. Lastly, the 4K Series, which is likely the most interesting of the bunch and ranges from $5,000 to $6,000, gets you an Ultra HD TV with an AquoMotion 240, 120Hz display, THX 4K, 3D, a duo bass subwoofer and four HDMI 2.0 ports. All in all, Sharp is going to be kicking off the year with a total of 19 different Aquos TVs; the HD, Quattron and Quattron+ are expected to ship in the spring, though there's no word yet on when the 4K Series is due to arrive.
Sharp is teasing a 3D-ready, 85-inch 8K display at CES, no glasses required
Sharp loves to show off the 8K technology it hopes to see in your living room in the future. It's no surprise, then, that the outfit is yet again using CES as a platform to tease another super, super high-res 85-inch screen. Unlike the gorgeous panel we saw last year (pictured above), though, this time Sharp's rolled into the desert with a glasses-free 3D flavor of its 7,680 x 4,320 display. The company isn't sharing many more details at the moment, but, for what it's worth, it did mention that its latest 8K creation was done in collaboration with Philips and Dolby. While we haven't seen this thing ourselves, we know it's here, somewhere in Las Vegas, so we'll be sure to update this post as soon as our eyes meet all those pixels.
Polar's latest wearable is a GPS watch and activity tracker all in one
We're big fans of Nike's SportWatch GPS, but we do wish that the wearable would double as an activity tracker when we're not sprinting 'round the block. Polar seems to feel our pain, and has welded together an activity tracker and a GPS watch for its latest CES gadget. The Polar V800 has integrated GPS with multi-sport profiles that'll record your performance no matter what you're doing, as well as tracking your heart rate and even your altitude. The rechargeable battery offers 14 hours for training, 50 hours in low-power GPS mode and 30 days if you're using it as a watch. It'll be available in April for $450, or $500 if you want one with a heart rate monitor, too.
Valve's Steam Machine partners include Alienware, Gigabyte, more
Valve is working with partners to bring Steam Machines into living rooms this year, and our Engadget pals learned of some of those partners at this year's CES trade show in Vegas. Dell subsidiary Alienware and Taiwanese manufacturer Gigabyte are two of the stand-out names among the 12 third-parties in Engadget's list. The dozen comprises Alienware, Alternate, CyberPower PC, Digital Storm Falcon Northwest, Gigabyte, iBuyPower, Materiel.net, Next, Scan Computers, Webhallen, and Zotac, although Engadget notes Valve may unveil other partners at CES, particularly at its press conference later today. Valve revealed the Steam Machines program last year as part of a three-headed march on the living room, along with SteamOS, its customized Linux operating system, and its Steam-optimized controller. Valve's aim is to provide a variety of Steam-centric gaming machines to suit a variety of homes. So far the number of homes is restricted to 300, where the same number of first-party Steam Machines reside as part of beta testing.
Canon claims significantly improved audio quality with VIXIA Mini X camcorder
Canon's instant-sharing VIXIA Mini camcorder lineup is welcoming a new model to the family. The Mini X, which will be available alongside the existing Mini, adds a handful of enhanced audio-capture features aimed at making the camera more attractive to pros. The X packs microphones that are 250 percent larger than its predecessor and Linear PCM audio encoding, along with a feature that automatically selects ideal audio settings depending on the scene, a mic input jack with manual audio level control, a headphone jack for monitoring, uncompressed HDMI output and embedded timecode, making it easy to merge footage (and audio) with output from other cameras. On the imaging front, there's an f/2.8 fisheye lens, a 12.8-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4 processor. The lens is fixed, but the camera offers an option to shoot in either a wide-angle or close-up mode -- with the latter, you can also take advantage of electronic image stabilization. You can shoot regular footage, along with slow- or fast-motion and interval captures, with 1080p output in either MP4 or AVCHD. Like Canon's point-and-shoot lineup, the Mini X also includes WiFi, enabling live streaming and remote control when paired with an Android or iOS device. Additionally, there's a 2.7-inch touchscreen with full rotation, letting you make adjustments and handle framing directly in the camera, if that's how you like to roll. The VIXIA Mini X, which is also compatible with Canon's Pan Table accessory, is expected in stores in March with a $400 MSRP.
Blue intros Mo-Fi headphones at CES 2014
When you think of Blue, you think of the company's microphones and audio tools that have been amazing musicians and podcasters since 1995. The company's CEO, John Maier, realized that classic hi-fi headphones are incompatible with the low power requirements of mobile devices, so most headphones used with smartphones and tablets provide rather low fidelity. As a result, Blue announced the Mo-Fi line of mobile headphones this morning at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. According to Maier, "We set out to do what no one else is doing: to end the compromise music lovers make when they listen on their mobile devices. In the past, the headphone industry has approached this compromise with clever workarounds, but we simply went ahead and solved it. We're prepared to unleash Mo-Fi, true mobile high-fidelity." While the video below is short on specifics, it's high on hype about a new product line that is sure to get a lot of attention. We'll update the post once we're able to get more details about what to expect in a few months.
Belkin pumps up WeMo home automation line with lights, maker kit, and Smart Crock-Pot
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is upon us, and a number of companies are making announcements before the show starts in earnest tomorrow. Among the companies spilling the beans early is Belkin, with some important announcements about additions to its app-controlled WeMo home automation devices. To start with, Belkin is adding Smart LED Bulbs to the WeMo lineup. The bulbs, which are 60W equivalents that last up to 23 years, work through the WeMo Link device that controls up to 50 Smart Bulbs. Each one of the bulbs is fully dimmable, controlled through the WeMo app, and even has a vacation mode that turns lights on and off to simulate an occupied home. The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set with two Smart Bulbs and a WeMo Link sells for US$129.99, while individual bulbs are available for $39.99 each. For those do-it-yourselfers who want to create their own WeMo solutions, Belkin offers the WeMo Maker Kit (price not available at press time). It adds Internet connectivity and WeMo app controllability to any device controlled with a DC switch. You can also use WeMo Maker to monitor and manage 5V DC sensors from the app. Like many of the existing WeMo products, WeMo Maker works with IFTTT.com, opening a world of specialized recipes. Finally, Belkin and Jarden Consumer Solutions are announcing the first smartphone controllable slow cooker, the Crock-Pot WeMo Smart Slow Cooker ($99.99). This allows you to receive reminders from the slow cooker, change cooking times, adjust temperature, or even check the status of your dish while you're away. While the WeMo Slow Cooker will be highlighted at CES, the Belkin booth will also display four other WeMo-enabled devices, including the Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker, the HOLMES Smart Console Heater, the HOLMES Smart Console Humidifier, and the HOLMES Smart Air Purifier. The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set, Smart Bulbs, Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, and Maker Kit will be available this spring. An updated version of the WeMo app, which includes a customizable long press gesture for the WeMo Light Switch, enhanced sunrise/sunset rules, a vacation mode, and a countdown timer, will be available in February.
Sphero's 2B smartphone-controlled toy is quick, easy to control and a lot of fun (hands-on)
We know, we know. Sometimes a poem just doesn't do it when it comes to a product announcement. Thankfully, Sphero's new budget 2B rolled into CES Unveiled just in time. The smartphone-controlled toy will retail for $100 when it drops in the fall -- that's $60 less than Sphero 2.0's current asking price. The company had a handful of models on the floor, and while all of them are prototypes, they worked remarkably well. We got the hang of it from the first moment we picked up the iOS app. It's responsive and handles a lot better than its predecessor right out of the box, no doubt owing to the slightly more traditional form factor -- that is, if you can use a word like "traditional" to refer to a device like this. Also, in spite of being a prototype, the 2B is pretty rugged, as we found ourselves playing Sphero bumper cars. The rep we spoke with told us that the final version will likely have IR built-in, so multiple 2Bs can interact -- and with the lower price point, it'll be that much easier for people to pick up a couple of devices for their home. The final version will also have more lighting effects built-in. Those nub tires you see are removable, by the way, so you can customize your device. The company was also showing off a 2B rocking smoother tires, which was even faster, with speeds of up to 14 feet a second, a fair bit zippier than the pricier Sphero 2.0. Nicole Lee contributed to this report.
Here's a smart toothbrush that'll show you how clean your teeth are
One of the current trends in technology right now is inventors jamming wireless radios in objects that you wouldn't expect to find 'em. For instance, the HAPIfork, a smart fork that sent your eating speed to your phone in an attempt to get you to chew your food more slowly, became an unexpected hit at last year's CES. Kolibree hopes to recreate that success with its connected toothbrush. Yeah. Once you've cleaned your teeth (in the usual fashion), the Kolibree pushes your stroke count to your smartphone, telling you if you did a good job and showing which parts of your gob still need some attention. Naturally, the company will request your cash via Kickstarter at some point in the summer, where you'll be able to pick up a model priced somewhere between $100 - $200.
Withings' latest health gadget is designed to help you sleep (updated)
If you're anything like us, then getting out of bed on a cold, dark winter's morning is akin to raising the dead. Plenty of gadgets have promised to monitor our circadian rhythms and rouse us at the most biologically convenient time like the Zeo, but none have managed to totally win us over. That hasn't deterred Withings, which is launching the Aura, a two-part device designed to help us with our shut-eye. The $300 Aura combines a movement sensor that sits beneath your mattress and an LED lamp that promises to relax you at night and gently rouse you in the morning. The unit also promises custom light-and-sound patterns that'll help with power napping, getting over jet lag and chilling out with a good book. Naturally, all of this data will be fed into a mobile app, and we're looking forward to comparing this against our Philips Wake-up Light when it arrives in the spring.
CES news roundup for January 5, 2014
Imagine waking up on a snowy and cold winter Sunday morning only to find that something strange has happened overnight -- your Mail inbox is overflowing with press releases touting new products being introduced at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show. That was the situation this morning, and I'm sure that the blizzard of news won't back down during the coming week. To help us shovel through the drifts of releases, we're going to send some of them your way in our regularly scheduled daily news roundups. For today, here's a special roundup of CES news for you. TAO-Wellness announces the app-enabled WellShell: Just when you thought you could get away from exercising after being good for the first four days of 2014, along comes word of the TAO WellShell. It's a small handheld device that works with an iOS app to help you tone your body through isometrics. As the company describes it, "you push, TAO resists." There are more than 50 isometric exercises that are explained in the app, and the app provides feedback on how hard you should push and for how long. You're also coached through reps and rest periods, and TAO logs your exercise and calories burned. There's no word on when the TAO WellShell will ship. Griffin Technology and Square intro Merchant case for iPhone 5/5s: Griffin has joined forces with mobile commerce powerhouse Square to develop the Merchant case, the first product to emerge from Square's Works With Square program. The $19.99 case is available now, and features a space for holding the Square reader when it's not in use. In addition, the bottom of the case has a slot that perfectly aligns with the Square reader's slot, allowing more consistent results when swiping cards. Griffin's venerable PowerMate goes Bluetooth: Griffin is also introducing a Bluetooth version of its PowerMate "clickable knob". The PowerMate Bluetooth can be used with any number of applications, allowing control of volume on Bluetooth 4.0-equipped Macs, highly-accurate editing in iMovie and GarageBand, and more. PowerMate Bluetooth cuts the cable and will retail for $59.99. More news will be forthcoming, so stay tuned to this post throughout the day for possible updates.
